The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-04
OBITUARY.
Death of Bishop Horatio Potter-Sketch of |
His Eventful Career.


New YORK. Jan. 3.-Horatio Potter, for
thirty two years Bishop of the Protestant Epis-
copal Diocese of New York, died at his home in
East Twenty second street. yesterday. Although
the Bishop had been i'll several years, and had
been unable to leave his house for fortnight,
his death was somewhat unexpected even to his
closest friends and relatives Four years ago he
was attacked with pneumonia and was feeble
that for time his life was despaired of. He re-
covered, however, but his hitherto strong con-
stitution had been so seriously affected that he
was unable to accomplish the work of the do
cese which ne had prosecuted with such vigor,
and he was relieved of the greatest share of it
by the election of the Rev. Dr. Henry. G. Potter
to assist him.
During the last three years he has been sub
ject to periodical attacks of pneumonia but by
careful nursing Of his strength he recovered
from each succeeding one, and in the last few
months appeared to be in better health and spir
its than usual. On Friday night, however, the
malady which had been gradually sappng his
system reappeared. and the great change in the
weather on the following day seemed to aggra-
vate it. Late on Saturday night he became I'M
conscious, and remained SO until GO o'clock,
when his heart beat for the last time. He was
faithfully attended throughout his illness by his
daughter Anna. who lived with her father and
minlstered to him in his declining years. and
Dr. Polk, his physician, and they were at his
bedside when he died.
Bishop Potter was born at Beekman Duchess
county, New York, on Feb 9, 1902 In his early
years his education was obtained at an academy
in Poughkeepsie. He was graduated from Union
College in 1926. and in July, 1927, he was or
dained deacon by Bishop Hobart In the fol-
lowing year he was ordained as priest About
the same time he was appointed professor of
mathematics and natural philosophy in Wash
ington (now Trinity College, Hartford. Here
he remained for five years. In December, 1888
he accepted the rectorship of st. Peters Church,
Albany. -Four years later, in 1887, he was elected
to the presidency of Trinity College, but declined
the honor. From his earliest youth his thoughts
had been fixed upon the church. His five years
of professional duty at Trinity were found in
some respects beneficial, but after having en-
tered upon his pastorate he was unwilling to be
turned aside by any other call In this long rec
torship he was distinguished for his great ability,
and as preacher. though not usually regarded
as an eloquent man, credited with remarkable
purity of style.
On the death of Balm Wright. in 1854, he was
elected provisional Bishop of the Diocese of New
York. and was consecrared Nov %, 1854. Bish-
op Onderdonk, the diocesan had been canonic-
ally suspended, and while he lived his coad tutor
could not take the full title of bishop of the do
cese. On April 80, 1861. Bishop Onderdonk died.
and DR.. Potter succeeded to the full jurisdiction.
By curious coincidence his brother, the Rev.
DIR. Alonzo Potter, Bishop of Pennsylvania,
also succeeded Bishop Onderdonk, a brother of
the Bishop of New York
The most marked characteristic of Bishop
Potter's episcopate, one that made itself strong
ly felt with his accession to the Office, was the
attention and strong encouragement given to
charitable and benevolent organizations The
large sisterbood of st. Mary was founded under
Bishop Potter, and in connection with it the
House of Mercy. the Childreus Hospital and St.
Mary's school, in this city, and St.
Gabriels school, in Poughkeepsie. There
was founded during his epscopate
and more or less directly through his influence
the Trinity lnfrmary, Old Mems and Old
Couples Home, and st. Luke's Home for In
digent. The wellknown sisterhoods which
have been organized are the Sisterhood of St
John the Baptist. under whose control are many
| successful missions and training schools, and
| the Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd. Aside
from the charitable work, to the furtherance OF
| which he especially devoted, DR.. Potteri
episcopate was characterized by the pacific pol
| icy which he uniformly exercised. He sedulous
| ly avoided any committal of the church or him
self to any political cause. Even in the storm,
| days previous to and during the war Bishop Pot
| ter although at heart opposed to slavery, de
voted himself solely to the duties of his episco
pate and refrained from any act that could ap
pear rs though he were publicly taking sides
| At the close of the war he was DESTROYS tina
every token Of strife should be swept away. ant
| he was largely instrumental in promoting thu
return Of the Southern bishops to the House o
Bishops without questioning or opposition.